And while lawsuits like the one filed by Maui have been delayed by procedural issues, the fires could be an important part of the county’s claim for damages should the case go to trial, legal experts said. Maui’s arguments are also likely to resonate with a local jury. And while that attribution can take time, scientists have pointed to Hawaii’s declining average rainfall as well as drought, hurricane winds and other conditions linked to climate change as factors that fueled the Maui fire. The fossil fuel industry has tried to move the Maui and other climate cases to federal court, where it hoped for better outcomes. But the U.S. Supreme Court decided last year that they should remain in state courts.

---

Persons: “, ”, Richard Wallsgrove, it’s Organizations: Environmental, University of Hawaii, Supreme Locations: Maui, Hawaii, Manoa, U.S